Father Shaun, who lives with partner, Daniel, said: “When the actor started in 2014, he was cast as an openly gay person. He got some flack at first but that died down. I was convinced by his performance as a vicar.”

Father Shaun watched the filming in church. “They did Billy in the pulpit talking about Tony. Ryan Thomas, playing Jason Grimshaw, gave a little speech about his dad. Then Sue Cleaver’s Eileen came in and there was a ‘to do’.”

The Priest-in-Charge discovered that Sue’s dad had worked at Chetham’s School of Music with St Martin’s lay reader, Brian Raby.

“Connor McIntyre, who plays villain Pat Phelan, is a lovely man in real life. He asked me if I had seen the Manchester Passion performed on Manchester streets. Unfortunately, I hadn’t.”

“The van which delivers props such as fake notice boards and wreaths for the grave was delivered in a vehicle with Newton and Ridley on the side. It doubles up as a delivery van at the Rovers Return.”

Only eight or nine actors and four extras attended. They were outnumbered by lighting, sound, cameras, production, wardrobe and make up staff.

Father Shaun dined with the cast in a double decker bus with food served from their own canteen.

“They actually called on local residents beforehand to reassure them that they were not going to upset their lives,” said Father Shaun.